Hard to believe the month we’ve all been waiting for is half over already. The Derby started this past Sunday, of course, so goodbye and good luck to all fishermen/fisherwomen/fisherkids. I hope you land the big one! The fourth and fifth graders of the Chilmark School left earlier this week for their weeklong trip on the Alabama. The Gay Head 10k is coming up quickly. It will be held on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 10 am. You can register at gayheadlight.org. Staying true to the tradition I have started, I will not be running, but will be there to cheer all you runners on.
The Aquinnah Shop is open for lunch six days a week, Tuesday through Sunday. They will be serving breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. They are no longer serving dinner, and they are closed on Mondays. The Dreamcatcher has closed for the season, so if you are headed up to the Cliffs for food, come when the Aquinnah Shop is open. The Outermost Inn is serving dinner Thursday to Sunday through Columbus Day weekend. The first seating is at 6 pm, and you do need to call for reservations: 508-645-3511.
At the library this week: On Saturday there will be a special story time for Talk like a Pirate Day at 10:30 am. Then from 11 am to 3 pm you can make pirate and mermaid puppets. On Tuesday at 4 pm the book group will meet to discuss Jeff Hobbs’ “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace.”
The Aquinnah Cultural Center at the Cliffs is still open Wednesday through Friday from 11 am to 4 pm. On Saturday of this week, it will be open from 11 am to 3 pm. This Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4 pm, there will be a special presentation, “Ancient News Is New News: Geological Revelations in Moving the Gay Head Lighthouse.” Byron Stone of the U.S. Geological Survey will present on some of the amazing geological finds revealed during the recent moving of the Gay Head Lighthouse. There is a $7 suggested donation. Come by the ACC to see exhibits on Wampanoag whaling, Gay Head pottery, oral histories, and many other aspects of centuries of Wampanoag history and culture. For more information, call 508-645-7900 or email aquinnahcc@gmail.com. Regular admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 12 and under.
At the Women Empowered–sponsored Women of the Year Champagne Brunch, the following Island women will be honored: Jo Ann Murphy, director of Veterans services; Betty Burton, founder of Serving Hands; Mary Beth Grady and Allison Burger, co-owners of Chilmark Chocolates. Congratulations, ladies, and thank you for all the wonderful work that you do. The keynote speaker at the brunch will be Jessica Kensky, Boston Marathon bombing survivor and double amputee. She will speak on “The Resilience of the Human Spirit.” The brunch will be held at the Harbor View Hotel on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11 am to 1 pm. There is limited seating, so you may want to order your ticket now at womenempoweredmv.eventbrite.com or by calling 508-696-8880.
Stop by the Chilmark Tavern today to wish bartender Eliska a happy birthday, and while you’re at it you can wish Chef Jenna Sprafkin one as well, as she celebrates on Saturday.